The Australian Greens extend their condolences to the staff and their families affected by the closure of Manildra Meat Company in Cootamundra. The Greens are calling on state and federal governments to work with the community to find secure jobs for these workers.

150 permanent staff and 70 casual staff at the company will lose their jobs. Today will be the final day of processing.

Greens industry spokesperson NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said, “This is another blow for NSW and the Riverina and our thoughts are with all of these workers and their families.

“220 Cootamundra workers will lose their jobs today – in relative population terms that is equivalent to 171,000 Sydney workers.

“Those workers will now be in financial limbo and the immediate priority is ensuring that they get secure work as soon as possible.

“In the last few weeks hundreds of workers at abattoirs across the country, and particularly in NSW, have been laid-off or had their shifts cut.

“Australia’s meat processing sector is one of Australia’s biggest manufacturing employers, but in the months and years ahead thousands of jobs are under threat.

“One of the ways we can help keep our domestic meat processing industry strong and sustainable is by phasing out live exports and boosting the chilled boxed meat trade.

“Skilling local workers and growing the number of local jobs should be the top priority of the government, and they need to take this idea seriously,” Senator Rhiannon said.